Talk to me about Christmas

[deuceswild10]

Hi!

We are headed down to Walt Disney World in 47 days and can't wait! We're going to be there for a week!

However, we have friends who are going during Christmas time and they invited us to go with them. I never thought I might consider leaving my home at Christmas. What is it like having Christmas day in a hotel room? What are the parks like? I know it will be busy but other than that?

Any insight would be great!

 

[Micca]

We did Christmas one time when DD was a CM and was in the parade at MK. It's really fun but you won't do many rides (unless you like to wait in loooong lines.)
If you can find value in celebrating the holiday with 90,000 or so of your closest friends, you'll enjoy yourself. If cramming in as many attractions in the shortest time as possible, you may prefer the queue at the gates of hell

 

[cman]

I'll be a bit more upbeat than PP. We went in 2007 and we're going again this year - 30 of us.

Set expectations and you'll have a great time. Crowded? Yes. Fun? Yes.

With some planning and that fact it'll be your second trip this year you'll have a blast.

 

[djc9699]

We went for Christmas last year and have decided to go again this year. We went to HS on Christmas day, arriving at 9:30ish. We ate at 50s Prime Time for Christmas dinner. We had a blast. Rode RNR 3 times, TSMM 4 times, watched B&B, Frozen sing-a-long, VOLM, and Muppets. We enjoyed the atmosphere at HS. It was awesome.

We hit MK on Christmas Eve for 7:00am EMH. By 11:00 we had done every attraction in FS and TL, except Enchanted Tales with Bell and Stitch. We then had a horrible lunch at Tony's with the parade package. We watched the Christmas parade with a perfect view, followed by HM, a FP for Splash & Thunder Mountain. Dinner at Liberty Tree and then dessert party for HEA.

Absolutely perfect! It was crowded, but magical. Going again with free dining this year and cannot wait to start making ADRs.

 

[deuceswild10]

Thank you for the replies and keep them coming! I have a lot to think about!

 

[choover2576]

We visited WDW during Christmas in 2016 and had a great time. It had always been a dream of mine to be at the MK on Christmas day. Of course it was very busy, but we arrived for EMH 7am, made ADR's, FP's, rode anytime attractions in the afternoon and left shortly after an early dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table.

We were there the week leading up to Christmas, so by the time Christmas rolled around we were used to the decorations and festivities, so it really just seemed like another day at the MK for us. I don't recall anything above and beyond that occurred on Christmas Day.

I did pack a table top Christmas tree for our room and had a few small gifts for the kids to open for Christmas morning. Santa delivered gifts at home while we were at WDW, so it was nice to look forward to "Christmas morning" when we returned home on the 28th.

We went to the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve and that was lovely.

You will have a great time! I wouldn't hesitate going back on Christmas.

 

[Barbydoll8]

The holiday's have extra magic at WDW BUT you must be prepared. MK on Christmas day often reaches capacity (100k people). So if you or or family are not into crowds, avoid it on the day.
The weather is usually wonderful (weird if you are from a place that normally has snow). Sometimes non-FL people can even swim. You normally won't see us locals swimming. LOL Usually too cold for us.
It takes planning cause FP goes fast and advance dining ressies can be tough to get. I think preparing with a plan A, plan B and even a plan C for attractions, dining etc is in order for this time of year.

 

[Gigi1957]

Planning For Dec 7-15...Is this week as crowded as Christmas?

 

[davper]

I am planning my first Dec trip this year and flying home on X-mas day with dirt cheap airfare.

 

[piratepride]

We are going December 12-16th this year....can't wait!!! We have gone in December in 2009 and 2013 and had a wonderful trips both years! Nothing like seeing the snow fall on Main Street at MK.

 

[deuceswild10]

The snow sounds so cool!

 

[Tksolomom]

No. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest.

 

[Barbydoll8]

First two weeks of Dec are not nearly as crowded. Now don't NOT expect crowds. There will be but nothing like the week of and the week after Christmas.

 

[KellyHonos]

I was there in 2014 for NYE, and I'll never do it again. Ever. Parks were reaching capacity by 10am, it was body to body, and just not worth the hassle at all.